With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Here we go

Talks again broke off between the NFL and NFLPA late Sunday night, but the league moved the start of free agency back to 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

NFL owners will meet Tuesday in Dallas to discuss the NFLPA's latest offer.

Two teams struck just before free agency hit to re-sign their star running backs.

Seattle inked Shaun Alexander to a $62 million deal that will pay the reigning NFL MVP over $15 million in bonuses and salary in 2006.

Green Bay brought back Ahman Green for a one-year $5 million deal.

The Steelers did restructure running back Duce Staley's deal at a savings of $1.2 million. Instead of earning a base salary of $2.5 million in 2006, Staley will now earn $670,000. He will instead get the $1.83 million in signing bonus, lowing his cap hit in 2006 from $3.67 million to $2.34 million.Also last week, the team officially placed running back Jerome Bettis on the reserve/retired list, thus clearing his $5.35 million salary off their books.

2 comments:

Dale, I wonder how much the $10 million in cap space, assuming the CBA is extended, will really help the Steelers. Sure, they'll have $10 million more, but so will every other team. Does it truly put the Steelers in a better bargaining position for free agents?

Tanny,Good to see you here. The $10 million will allow them to help keep their own guys and maybe have a little left over to add a guy or two.It also would keep them from having to cut guys, which is a plus.